On Thursday, multiple media organisations around the world reported that Russia may have deployed at least a pair of SU-57 fighters to the Khmeimim airbase in Syria.
The reports were based on unverified images and videos on social media showing what appears to be SU-57s in flight. The imagery also featured aircraft such as the SU-35 fighter and A-50 airborne early warning aircraft, both of which have been deployed to Syria. The Khmeimim airbase, located in Latakia province, has been the main base of operations for the Russian aerial units operating in Syria since 2015.
Exclusive#Russia deploying its brand new fifth generation fighter jet the Su-57 in #Khmemeim AB #Syria
— Wael Al Hussaini (@WaelAlHussaini) February 21, 2018
2 Su-57
4 Su-35
4 Su-25
1 A-50U were deployed in the #RuAF AB in Latakia/Jableh today pic.twitter.com/MA4NIKyMW7
While the Russian military has yet to confirm or deny the claims of the SU-57 being sent to Syria, Russia has used the conflict in Syria to tout the potential of a range of weaponry such as cruise missiles, attack helicopters and warplanes to highlight the modernisation of its armed forces since the fall of the Soviet Union.
The US Air Force's F-22 Raptor, the only stealth fighter in full service currently, has already been deployed for operations against ISIS; In December, the Russian military claimed than an F-22 attempted to intercept its warplanes operating over Syria.
However, any deployment to Syria would also raise eyebrows as the SU-57 is still in development and only a handful of prototypes are known to exist. Moreover, its advanced features would prove to be of little use in anti-terrorist operations in Syria.
Developed as a rival to the American F-22 and F-35, the SU-57 has had a chequered history, since its first flight in 2010.
While the Russian Air Force originally intended to purchase approximately 160 SU-57s, with the aircraft slated to enter service by 2016-17, the aircraft's development has faced numerous delays, in particular with its engines. In 2015, the Russian government announced it would buy an initial batch of only 12 aircraft, with its entry into service expected only by 2019-20.
Russia had approached India to develop a variant of the SU-57 for the Indian Air Force, but in recent years, the IAF has been perceived to be cool to the proposal and has cited flaws with the aircraft's stealth features and its engines.
A deployment to combat operations could be used to impress the IAF and also other prospective buyers like the UAE, which, last year, expressed interest in jointly developing weaponry with Russia.